Alberta securities laws require public issuers of securities to disclose certain information within certain times. If that disclosure is not made, or is not made on time, the ASC may order that trading in that issuer's securities cease – that is, nobody may sell those securities, even on an exchange or through a registrant.

Such cease trade orders (CTOs) may be interim (expiring after a short period, unless extended) or final (in effect unless revoked by the ASC). Both types of CTOs are included in this section of the website, as are extension, variation and revocation orders of such CTOs.

Cease trade orders may also be issued as part of enforcement proceedings.

A central database for cease trade orders (CTOs) by Canadian regulators is available on the CSA website.